By Abigail Beresford
Students have reacted against train fares which are set to rise by 2.7 per cent in the new year.
It was announced on November 30 that train fares will rise by 2.7 per cent from January 2 next year, just when students are set to be arriving back to university after Christmas at their family homes.
However, many students visit home regularly and with the increase in fares, it will make it harder for them to do so.
“All of my flatmates and friends are able to visit home regularly as it’s a reasonable price, but it’s too expensive for me to do on a regular basis,” said Divya Pankhania, a first year Accounting and Finance student.
“It’s a £40 train, with a railcard, to London. When living on a student budget, it’s impossible to fund.”
Many students own railcards to help save money on rail fares. However, with the increase of ticket prices, students are now turning to other forms of transport in order to get home.
“It’s not great that prices are going up, but I understand why they’re doing it. But it’s £10 for me to get home with railcard, so I don’t have much of an issue,” said Theo Hunter-Rice, a first year Computing student, who travels to and from Birmingham.
However, it is not as simple for students who have to travel a long distance.
Erica Hore, a first year Psychology student, travels home to Middlesbrough regularly.
“It’s more than £60 on the train home, and with it increasing, it simply isn’t worth it,” said Erica.
Other modes of public transport are seen as more favourable, due to cheaper prices.
“It’s cheaper for me to get the bus home, but it’s a seven-hour journey. So, I just have to visit home less,” Erica added.
